Mimicking Photosynthesis Enables Storage and Release of Hydrogen

11:36 AM MDT | March 20, 2012 | Alex Scott

Researchers from Japan and the U.S. have developed a proton-responsive ligand and a homogeneous iridium catalyst which together enable the controlled storage and release of hydrogen. The approach mimics the conversion of CO2 to sugar by green plants for energy storage during photosynthesis.The ligand and catalyst use CO2 and hydrogen to store energy in formic acid. It is the first reversible and recyclable hydrogen storage system that operates under mild conditions using CO2, formate and formic acid. The approach uses water as a solvent, produces...